Strawberry plant named ‘San Andreas’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral type of strawberry designated as ‘San Andreas’. ‘San Andreas’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) but with higher yield and better quality fruit, better disease resistance and better flavor. It is similar to ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) for fruit quality but with higher yield, and larger and more attractive fruit.

Genus and species:

The strawberry cultivar of this invention is botanically identified asFragaria ×ananassa Duch.

Variety denomination: The variety denomination is ‘San Andreas’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinctive day-neutral typecultivar designated as ‘San Andreas’, which resulted from a crossperformed in 2001 between the cultivar ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.16,228) and advanced selection Cal 97.86-1. ‘San Andreas’ was firstfruited at the University of California Wolfskill Experimental Orchard,near Winters, Calif. in 2002, where it was selected, originallydesignated Cal 1.139-2, and propagated asexually by runners. Followingselection and during testing, the plant of this selection was designated‘CN223’ and, later for introduction into commerce, ‘San Andreas’.Asexual propagules from this original source have been tested at theWatsonville Strawberry Research Facility, the South Coast Research andExtension Center, and to a limited extent in grower fields starting in2005.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘San Andreas’ is a day-neutral (everbearing) cultivar similar to‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) but with higher yield and betterquality fruit, better disease resistance and better flavor. It issimilar to ‘Albion’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,228) for fruit quality butwith higher yield, and larger and more attractive fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures depict various characteristics of the ‘San Andreas’cultivar.

FIG. 1 shows the general flowering and fruiting characteristics of theplant in a field planting.

FIG. 2 shows a typical leaf at mid-season.

FIG. 3 shows representative mid-season fruit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

‘San Andreas’ is typical of day-neutral strawberry cultivars andproduces fruit regardless of day length when treated appropriately inand, subtropical climates. ‘San Andreas’ is moderate to weak inexpressing the day-neutral character, being comparable in floweringresponse to ‘Diamante’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,435) and ‘Albion’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 16,228), and less so than ‘Fern’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.5,267) or ‘Irvine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172). The production patternfor ‘San Andreas’ is similar to that for ‘Albion’. ‘San Andreas’ will beof special interest for winter plantings and in summer plantings where‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’ have been successful.

-   Plants and foliage:

Fruiting plants of ‘San Andreas’ are similar in morphology to ‘Diamante’and ‘Albion’ although somewhat larger early in the season. ‘San Andreas’plants are similar in appearance to plants of ‘Aromas’, but more compactand smaller throughout the season. Comparative statistics for foliarcharacters near mid-season are given for ‘San Andreas’ and the threecomparison cultivars in Table I. Individual leaflets for ‘San Andreas’are similar in shape and size to the comparison cultivars, but aresomewhat longer than broad, and less rounded. Leaves (includingpetioles) for ‘San Andreas’ are longer than those for ‘Diamante’ and‘Albion’, mostly due to greater petiole length. Petioles are generallythinner than those of the comparison cultivars and tend to have heavypubescence. The adaxial (upper) and abaxial (lower) surfaces of leavesfor ‘San Andreas’ are similar in color to the comparison cultivars atmid season, but slightly darker early in the season. Leaves of ‘SanAndreas’ have similar concavity to ‘Aromas’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’.

-   Disease and pest reaction:

‘San Andreas’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Sphaerothecamacularis), Anthracnose crown rot (Colletotrichum acutatum),Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae), Phytophthora crown rot(Phytophthora cactorum) and common leaf spot (Ramularia tulasnei) (Table3). When treated properly, it has tolerance to two-spotted spider mites(Tetranychus urticae) equal to that for the comparison cultivars. ‘SanAndreas’ is tolerant to strawberry viruses encountered in California.

TABLE 1 Foliar and plant characteristics for ‘San Andreas’, ‘Aromas’,‘Diamante’, and ‘Albion’. Cultivar Foliar ‘San Character ‘Aromas’‘Diamante’ ‘Albion’ Andreas’ Plant height (mm) mean 272 220 223 250range 240-300 190-240 170-290 210-290 Plant spread (mm) mean 323 316 295323 range 300-360 265-385 270-315 300-340 Mid-tier leaflet Length (mm)mean 79 78 70 75 range 70-90 60-90 60-80 70-90 Width (mm) mean 74 77 6869 range 70-80 55-90 60-80 60-80 Mid-tier leaf Length (mm) mean 113 9999 114 range 100-120  80-120  90-110  90-160 Width (mm) mean 135 134 122117 range 120-150  90-150 105-135 100-140 Leaf components Petiole length(mm) mean 174 114 122 164 range 140-210 100-130  95-180 130-200 Petiolediameter (mm) mean 4.5 5.2 4.9 4.0 range 4-6 4-7 4-6 3-5 Petiolulelength (mm) mean 6.6 5.2 6.7 5.4 range 4.3-7.5 4.0-7.6 5.0-8.0 3-8 #leaflets/leaf 3 3 3 3 Leaf convexity some flat, some flat, some flat,some flat, most slight most slight most slight most slight concaveconcave concave concave Serrations number/leaf 19.9 20.2 23.3 20.8 range16-24 16-24 21-27 18-24 shape rounded to rounded to semi-pointedsemi-pointed semi-pointed semi-pointed Leaf moderate moderate- moderatemoderate- pubescence heavy heavy Petiole Moderate- heavy heavy heavypubescence heavy density direction perpendic- perpendic- perpendic-perpendic- ular ular ular ular Petiole color 5 GY 8/8 7.5 GY 9/4 5 GY8/8 5 GY 8/8 (Munsell) Stipule length (mm) mean 34.2 31.6 32.5 32.8range 30-39 22-36 24-37 18-42 Stipule color core 7.5 GY 8/7 7.5 GY 8/7 5GY 8/7 7.5 GY 8/7 margins 2.5 GY 9/3 5 GY 6/8 5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 6/8 Stolonbase 3.0 3.2 3.0 3.0 diameter (mm) Stolons per 33.0 29.0 26.9 28.4nursery mother plant Venation pattern pinnate pinnate pinnate pinnatecolor 2.5 GY 5/5 10 GY 5/5 2.5 GY 6/8 2.5 Y 6/8

-   Flowering, fruiting, fruit, and production characteristics:

‘San Andreas’ is similar to other California day-neutral cultivars (e.g. ‘Diamante’ and ‘Albion’) in that it will flower independently of daylength, given appropriate temperature and horticultural conditions.Comparative statistics for flower and fruit characters near mid-seasonare given for ‘San Andreas’ and the three cultivars in Table 4. Theprimary flowers for ‘San Andreas’ are slightly larger than those of thecomparison cultivars with a calyx that is distinctly larger than thecorolla on primary fruit. The sepals are similar in length and shape tothose of the comparison cultivars. The calyx for ‘San Andreas’ varies inposition but is usually more reflexed than for ‘Aromas’ or ‘Diamante’,similar to that of ‘Albion’. The fruit shape for ‘San Andreas’ can vary,but is typically a medium to long and highly symmetrical conic. It iseasily distinguished by fruit shape from ‘Aromas’ (shortened and roundedconic), ‘Diamante’ (usually a flat conic) or ‘Albion’ (long conic). ‘SanAndreas’ usually has a greater proportion of symmetrical fruit than thecomparison cultivars, especially early in the fruiting season. Externalfruit color for ‘San Andreas’ is slightly lighter than ‘Aromas’ or‘Albion’, distinctly darker than for ‘Diamante’. Internal color issomewhat darker with greater red pigment than for the comparisoncultivars (Table 2). Achenes vary from yellow to dark red, but areusually red, and range from even with the fruit surface to slightlyindented.

‘San Andreas’ has been tested under a variety of cultural regimes, andoptimal performance is obtained when nursery treatments and nutritionalprograms similar to those for ‘Albion’, ‘Diamante’, and ‘Aromas’ areused. In general, ‘San Andreas’ is more vigorous than the comparisoncultivars and is less sensitive to low chilling. ‘San Andreas’ retainsexcellent fruit quality in summer planting systems.

When treated with appropriate planting regimes, ‘San Andreas’ has largerfruit and produces greater individual-plant yield than any of thecomparison cultivars (Table 5). ‘San Andreas’ has a similar productionpattern to ‘Albion’ with most cultural treatments, although it issubstantially more adapted to early-season winter planting. Commercialappearance ratings have been substantially higher than those for all ofthe comparison cultivars, especially ‘Aromas’. These superior appearancescores translate directly into a larger fraction of marketable fruitthan is produced by the comparison cultivars. Fruit for ‘San Andreas’ issubstantially firmer than fruit from ‘Aromas’, similar in firmness tothe other comparison cultivars. Subjectively, ‘San Andreas’ hasoutstanding flavor very similar to that of ‘Albion’. The fruit will beexceptional for both fresh market and processing, and will be useful forhome garden purposes.

TABLE 2 Foliar and fruit color characteristics for ‘San Andreas’ andthree comparison cultivars Cultivar Color ‘San Character ‘Aromas’‘Diamante’ ‘Albion’ Andreas’ Leaf color (CIELAB) Adaxial L* mean 35.134.8 34.7 33.4 range 32.7-37.7 32.6-36.8 32.8-36.7 28.1-36.0 a* mean−10.6 −10.4 −9.8 −9.1 range   −82-−14.0  −8.7-−11.9  −9.4-−11.3 −8.6-−10.0 b* mean 13.8 13.8 12.8 11.7 range 11.2-18.1 12.2-16.610.7-15.6 10.4-13.8 Munsell 7.5 GY 4/4 5 GY 4/3 5 GY 4/3 2.5 GY 4/3Abaxial L* mean 52.4 51.1 50.6 50.2 range 50.6-54.1 49.7-52.2 43.7-53.147.8-52.8 a* mean −11.6 −12.8 −12.4 −12.5 range −10.7-−13.6 −11.6-−14.9 −8.6-−11.4 −12.0-−12.9 b* mean 17.3 19.5 17.2 18.5 range 14.3-23.215.3-23.5 14.5-19.6 17.3-21.5 Munsell 10 GY 7/8 7.5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 8/7 5GY 5/6 Fruit color (CIELAB) External L* mean 34.2 40.8 36.5 36.0 range31.2-38.3 35.5-45.4 32.8-40.1 31.8-39.4 a* mean 33.9 36.7 33.3 36.0range 31.5-38.6 35.6-40.2 28.3-36.2 34.9-43.6 b* mean 14.1 21.2 17.618.4 range  9.1-16.5 18.8-25.7 12.2-24.9 13.2-22.9 Munsell 2.5 R 4/10 5R 5/13 5 R 3/7 5 R 4/12 Internal L* mean 61.6 65.6 57.9 59.0 range59.5-67.7 58.8-67.2 43.3-62.9 53.2-60.3 a* mean 14.7 5.6 19.0 23.3 range 7.6-19.2 3.0-9.5  7.9-27.7 19.3-31.2 b* mean 20.2 15.8 21.0 24.4 range16.1-22.5 14.5-18.2 13.2-27.2 18.5-28.9 Munsell 5 R 6/11 10 R 7/9 7.5 R4/11 7.5 R 5/13 Achene color 7.5 R 4/11 7.5 R 4/11 10 R 5/6 5 R 3/7Munsell *CIELAB is the abbreviation of the international color systemknown as “Commission Internationale De L'Eclairage” 1978. Forrecommendations concerning uniform color spaces, color differenceequations, and psychometric color terms, see Supplement No. 2 of CIEPublication No. 15, Paris.

TABLE 3 Disease resistance scores for ‘San Andreas’ and three comparisoncultivars; Phytophthora and Verticillium scores were obtained inevaluations conducted in 2004-2006, Colletotrichum was evaluated in2005-2006. Phytophthora Verticillium Colletotrichum Resistance ScoreResistance Score Resistance Score Genotype (5 = best) (5 = best) (5 =best ‘Aromas’ 4.0 4.5 2.4 ‘Diamante’ 2.0 2.8 2.6 ‘Albion’ 4.3 3.8 3.1‘San Andreas’ 3.8 3.8 2.8

TABLE 4 Flower and fruit characters for ‘San Andreas’ and threecomparison cultivars. Cultivar ‘San Character ‘Aromas’ ‘Diamante’‘Albion’ Andreas’ Petal number mean 5.5 5.4 5.6 6.6 range 5-7 5-6 5-75-7 Petal shape apex truncate to truncate to truncate to truncate toslightly slightly slightly slightly obtuse obtuse obtuse obtuse baseattenuate attenuate attenuate attenuate margin entire entire entireentire Petal length (mm) mean 10.1 9.2 9.6 11.7 range  8-11  7-13  8-11 9-14 Petal width (mm) mean 11.8 10.6 9.0 12.8 range 10-13 10-13  7-1011-14 Flower position most even most even most most (relative to somesome exposed, exposed, foliage) exposed internal and some even some evenexposed Calyx diam. (mm) mean 31.3 32.0 37.5 37.5 range 28-33 25-4131-48 34-45 Corolla diam. (mm) mean 31.2 23.9 27.8 34.4 range 26-3518-31 23-33 27-44 Sepal length (mm) mean 12.3 12.1 14.1 13.2 range  8-1510-15 11-18 11-16 Sepal width (mm) mean 6.4 6.7 6.6 8.0 range 3-9 5-9 4-10  6-10 Sepal color 7.5 GY 6/8 5 GY 5/6 2.5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 6/8(Munsell) Pedicel length (mm) mean 172 140 218 221 range 112-230 110-165180-270 200-240 Pedicel diameter (mm) mean 4.4 5.3 3.1 3.7 range 4-6 4-62-4 3-5 Pedicel color 5 GY 6/8 5 GY 7/10 5 GY 6/8 7.5 GY 6/8 Fruit shapeFruit length (mm) mean 46.6 46.4 61.7 58.0 range 42-52 39-50 50-76 46-68Fruit width (mm) mean 39.4 40.7 46.6 44.3 range 37-43 38-46 37-52 40-48Length/width ratio 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.3 range 1.0-1.4 1.0-1.2 1.2-1.5 1.1-1.4subjective mostly rounded to most long medium-long medium to flat conicsymmetrical symmetrical short flat conic conic conic Primary/ secondaryfruit comparison size    60-80%    60-80%    60-70%    60-80%(subjective) shape similar shape similar shape similar shape similarshape Extent/size of small-absent small-absent small- Medium hollow coremedium Calyx position indented- even- even- often even with indentedreflexed reflexed neck size relative to equal or equal or equal or equalor fruit greater than greater than greater than greater than fruit fruitfruit fruit diameter diameter diameter diameter Seed position indented-indented- indented- indented- extruded even extruded slightly extrudedAdherence of intermediate intermediate intermediate intermediate Calyxto Fruit

Flower measurements and fruit measurements obtained May 9Jun. 6, 2006.Subjective observations obtained Jul. 31, 2006.

TABLE 5 Performance ‘San Andreas’and three comparison cultivarsevaluated at the Watsonville Research Facility in 2005-7. All plants forthese trials were harvested from a commercial nursery near Macdoel, CAon October 15-16, and transplanted after 18-21 days supplementalstorage. Fruit harvest was initiated in early April and continuedthrough the first week of October. (52″ 2-row beds, 17,300 plants/acre).Appearance Fruit Yield Score Size Item (g/plant) (5 = best) (g/fruit)Firmness ‘Aromas’ 3,108 3.1 27.0 9.6 ‘Diamante’ 2,653 3.5 31.2 11.0‘Albion’ 2,461 3.9 30.5 11.1 ‘San Andreas’ 3,293 4.4 31.6 11.5

1. A new and distinct cultivar of strawberry plant having thecharacteristics substantially as described and illustrated herein.